FreedomWorks to endorse Mack in Florida

The Tea Party-affiliated group FreedomWorks will back Rep. Connie Mack's (R-Fla.) Senate campaign, according to the Tampa Bay Times, providing an additional lift to the congressman as he seeks to avoid having to do much to win the state's contested GOP primary.

Mack has announced he won't debate his primary opponents and said the primary is essentially over, angering some activists in the state. But the FreedomWorks backing is a sign that he's unlikely to face a serious grassroots uprising against him, allowing him to focus on catching up to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who is favored to win reelection. The Hill rates the race "lean Democratic."

The group had originally backed state Rep. Adam Hasner (R) in the race, but he dropped out weeks ago to run instead for a House seat.